Are Suppressors Legal in Texas?

Statute-cited, last verified 2026-07-10 · State detail verified 2026-07-31

Status: Legal
Verified: 2026-07-10

Legal

Yes. Suppressor ownership is legal with federal NFA compliance.

The statute in practice

Texas Law in Detail

Texas Penal Code section 46.05 addresses firearm silencers and provides an exception tied to compliance with federal law. House Bill 957 created a separate 2021 intrastate-suppressor framework, but a state enactment does not amend the federal NFA registration statute or ATF's federal forms.

Timeline

Legislative and Court History

2021House Bill 957 created Texas's intrastate-suppressor framework and related declaratory-judgment mechanism.

What it means for you

Practical Notes

Do not substitute a Texas-made marking or an intrastate sale for an approved Form 1 or Form 4. Federal registration remains necessary unless controlling federal law changes.

Sources

Federal law

Federal baseline

Suppressors are federally legal to own under the NFA. As of January 1, 2026 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed July 2025) zeroed the federal making and transfer tax on suppressors, formerly $200. Form 4 or Form 1, fingerprints, the NICS background check, and NFA registration are all still required; ATF eForm approvals currently run days to a couple of weeks.

Scope: Firearm suppressors (silencers) as defined by the NFA. Federal NFA compliance (Form 4 or Form 1, fingerprints, NICS, registration) is required everywhere they are legal.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions